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Looks pretty clear to me... (for Watches with the sport bands)

This screenshot is from a Chinese unboxing video. The Apple web page also says the the same thing for accessory sport straps but the box only holds 3 strap pieces.

Watch Strap.jpg
 
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Would be a littler strange as then one band would be less symmetrical than the other. Never seen a watch with the pin part not on the bottom of your wrist. Well, we only have to wait 2 weeks right?
 
Difference between Watch Sport vs. Watch

Okay this seems to have been completely missed I haven't seen anyone point it out yet so I'm going to, I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire I am simply pointing out something I have noticed that may mean the Sport indeed does come with two full bands, 4 parts.

The evidence shown is a stainless steel watch with a Sport band, now, on the store under "what's in the box" it states "Strap" and there is no option for size during checkout, so there must be a way to provide both s-m and m-l, seems like "Strap" means one strap and the three pieces is technically only capable of giving you one strap, makes sense.

The sport states under "what's in the box" "Two straps" which indicates that there is SOME difference regardless of what you get band-wise it MUST be different to what comes with the stainless steel watch (the one in the evidence screenshot and video).

Going further, when you go to the sport band on its own in the store "what's in the box" states "Two straps: one Small–Medium strap, one Medium–Large strap"

I may be wrong, but it looks to me like "two straps" means one full small-medium and one full medium-large, four pieces making two full straps. "Strap" means one full strap, three pieces allowing you to adjust size. No idea why apple would do this but there is a clear difference between getting the sport model and getting the stainless model, they can't give both three pieces or 1.5 bands and state 1 band on one and 2 bands on the other.

Just my thoughts on it, check all three options in the store for yourselves and tell me what you think?
 
Okay this seems to have been completely missed I haven't seen anyone point it out yet so I'm going to, I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire I am simply pointing out something I have noticed that may mean the Sport indeed does come with two full bands, 4 parts.

The evidence shown is a stainless steel watch with a Sport band, now, on the store under "what's in the box" it states "Strap" and there is no option for size during checkout, so there must be a way to provide both s-m and m-l, seems like "Strap" means one strap and the three pieces is technically only capable of giving you one strap, makes sense.

The sport states under "what's in the box" "Two straps" which indicates that there is SOME difference regardless of what you get band-wise it MUST be different to what comes with the stainless steel watch (the one in the evidence screenshot and video).

Going further, when you go to the sport band on its own in the store "what's in the box" states "Two straps: one Small–Medium strap, one Medium–Large strap"

I may be wrong, but it looks to me like "two straps" means one full small-medium and one full medium-large, four pieces making two full straps. "Strap" means one full strap, three pieces allowing you to adjust size. No idea why apple would do this but there is a clear difference between getting the sport model and getting the stainless model, they can't give both three pieces or 1.5 bands and state 1 band on one and 2 bands on the other.

Just my thoughts on it, check all three options in the store for yourselves and tell me what you think?

Check this video (from 1:20) and you can clearly see there are only 3 pieces in the Sport Band box.

http://video.appledaily.com.hk/realtime/media/20150408/rt_sup77new_w.mp4?_=1
 
Okay this seems to have been completely missed I haven't seen anyone point it out yet so I'm going to, I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire I am simply pointing out something I have noticed that may mean the Sport indeed does come with two full bands, 4 parts.

The evidence shown is a stainless steel watch with a Sport band, now, on the store under "what's in the box" it states "Strap" and there is no option for size during checkout, so there must be a way to provide both s-m and m-l, seems like "Strap" means one strap and the three pieces is technically only capable of giving you one strap, makes sense.

The sport states under "what's in the box" "Two straps" which indicates that there is SOME difference regardless of what you get band-wise it MUST be different to what comes with the stainless steel watch (the one in the evidence screenshot and video).

Going further, when you go to the sport band on its own in the store "what's in the box" states "Two straps: one Small–Medium strap, one Medium–Large strap"

I may be wrong, but it looks to me like "two straps" means one full small-medium and one full medium-large, four pieces making two full straps. "Strap" means one full strap, three pieces allowing you to adjust size. No idea why apple would do this but there is a clear difference between getting the sport model and getting the stainless model, they can't give both three pieces or 1.5 bands and state 1 band on one and 2 bands on the other.

Just my thoughts on it, check all three options in the store for yourselves and tell me what you think?

Everything you said has been stated many times by many people on many threads. I happen to agree with you. It doesn't matter. They people with the opposite opinion will keep repeating their same points again and again. People on both sides have been doing this for days. Neither side seems willing to admit their "proof" in inconclusive, or acknowledge the existence of the other side's evidence.
 
Everything you said has been stated many times by many people on many threads. I happen to agree with you. It doesn't matter. They people with the opposite opinion will keep repeating their same points again and again. People on both sides have been doing this for days. Neither side seems willing to admit their "proof" in inconclusive, or acknowledge the existence of the other side's evidence.

I'll just say you're right so we can end all this. A dictionary and an encyclopedia is what you are.

At least the proof that we use to corroborate, not confirm I'll point out, are visual while others just use Apple employee limited information and words written on the apple website (that's me acknowledging the existence of your evidence by the way).

All in all, enjoy your watch mate. I'm tired of arguing with you all.
 
Check this video (from 1:20) and you can clearly see there are only 3 pieces in the Sport Band box.

http://video.appledaily.com.hk/realtime/media/20150408/rt_sup77new_w.mp4?_=1

Yeah fair point, watching it again I realise that it's a stainless steel + stainless band and the sport band is a "purchase separately" version but still I feel like it's pretty clear what is considered 1 strap and apple doesn't have an asterisk pointing to any fine print which has me wondering if "two straps" really means 1.5 straps, what exactly do those why buy the stainless body with the sport band get considering it simply says "Strap"... Nowhere near enough proof to actually think you won't get two full straps in my opinion but that's what it is, my opinion :p

I have also heard of multiple people asking in store and being told it's two full bands, 4 pieces so one video that LOOKS like it might be otherwise doesn't convince me too much.
 
Yeah fair point, watching it again I realise that it's a stainless steel + stainless band and the sport band is a "purchase separately" version but still I feel like it's pretty clear what is considered 1 strap and apple doesn't have an asterisk pointing to any fine print which has me wondering if "two straps" really means 1.5 straps, what exactly do those why buy the stainless body with the sport band get considering it simply says "Strap"... Nowhere near enough proof to actually think you won't get two full straps in my opinion but that's what it is, my opinion :p

I have also heard of multiple people asking in store and being told it's two full bands, 4 pieces so one video that LOOKS like it might be otherwise doesn't convince me too much.

If you go to the Apple Store, it says exactly the same thing for the individual straps.

Screen Shot 2015-04-10 at 18.41.14.png
 
Check this video (from 1:20) and you can clearly see there are only 3 pieces in the Sport band box.

http://video.appledaily.com.hk/realtime/media/20150408/rt_sup77new_w.mp4?_=1
I don't see any such thing, clearly or otherwise. I see a heavily edited video; I don't know what was cut out.

I don't see even a single frame showing the three pieces you are talking about. In one place I see two pieces clearly. There might be one additional unseen piece, there might be two.

I don't see a frame where all the pieces are laid out side by side so I can clearly count them. I see white band pieces on top of white package pieces, and I'm not sure what I'm seeing.

I don't understand the written or spoken language in the video, so if the author actually tells us what's in the box, it's lost on me.

But none of the above really matters, because I see no evidence that we're seeing a normal retail Apple Watch. The video appeared the day the embargo was lifted on the review units -- more than two weeks before any actual retail watches or bands will reach real customers. I've seen no evidence (nor even a claim) that the reviewers didn't get custom, non-retail collections of stuff. So this video isn't definitive for me, even if it showed what some people claim it shows.


On the other hand, I see Apple taking orders (as of now) for an item that says there are two bands in the box. "One S/M band and one M/L band". I think Apple is too wise to risk false advertising claims by giving us less than two bands. They could have said "components to make either a S/M band or a M/L band" or something similar. They didn't say it that way.

I'm no lawyer, but taking money from people for "two bands" and delivering one band plus a spare piece looks like false advertising to me. If you sell that to me, I'll hold the first band in my hand, and ask you to show me the second band from what's left on the table. If you can't, I'll ask you to take a second package from stock and make up the deficit, free of charge. If you refuse, I probably WILL contact a lawyer. Maybe the lawyer will tell me a third-party video from Hong Kong has more weight than a plain-english statement on the seller's web page, and I don't have a case.
 
Even this specialist thought it was confusing. Here is my conversation I just had:

Specialist: "Hello! Thank you for contacting the US Apple Online Store, my name is Jenne. Give me a minute while I read over your messages please."

Me: "Sure thing Jenne"

Specialist: "Thanks for your patience!"

Me: "Yes ma'am."

Specialist: "Okay, I’m going to answer, what I think is your question, and if I don’t please correct me! The Apple Watch Sport does come with two bands. They are the same color, whichever you select, the difference is they come in two sizes, so you can see which is most comfortable for you when you exercise as well as in your daily routine."

Me: "So, technically these two bands are made up of four different parts, correct?"

Specialist: "Correct, each band has two parts. One end that connects to the Watch and the other end connects to the band connection. That sounds way more confusing than it is. Hahah."

Me: "Understood. So in comparison, the Apple Watch (stainless steel) that comes with the sport band has just three parts? Because it only specifies as coming with "one" band"

Specialist: "That’s so confusing, I see what you’re talking about. No matter what Watch collection you buy, if it’s a Sports band, it’s going to come with two Sports bands for you!"


So, from her explanation, the video showing 1.5 parts is not valid, or maybe incomplete (even though I thought it to be true). She even admits the whole thing is confusing. No matter what, I'll let you know 24 APR
 
From my try-on appointment

I just got back from my try on appointment and I asked the person helping me with my try on this question about 1.5 versus 2 bands. She said it was a good question and wanted to make sure she got me the right answer. She went off to consult with someone and came back confident that there are two total bands (4 pieces) included. I even used a scenario to make sure she was tracking along to what I was asking.

"If my wife and I both get 42mm watches, hers white mine black, can we swap her large white band and my small black band and both end up with two matching sets (not black & white)?" "Yes, you'll get four pieces and be able to do that."

Anyway, FWIW. It was obvious the main person helping me hadn't seen the actual retail packaging but she seems confident after her consult.
 
If you go to the Apple Store, it says exactly the same thing for the individual straps.

View attachment 539685
OllyW, is the picture you posted from the UK Apple store?

I just noticed a slight variation in terminology.

The US store has an item called "38mm White Sport Band", and it's description says "Two bands: one Small–Medium band, one Medium–Large band".

When I look at the UK store, the item is "38mm White Sport Band", with the description "Two straps: one Small–Medium strap, one Medium–Large strap".

I didn't notice the difference until just now.

Are we being divided by a common language again?

You might be able to convince my American ears that a "strap" is only part of a "band". But to me a watch "band" is what I need to hold a watch on my wrist. Two "bands" will hold two watches.

Maybe the words have a different connotation to UK ears.
 
OllyW, is the picture you posted from the UK Apple store?

I just noticed a slight variation in terminology.

The US store has an item called "38mm White Sport Band", and it's description says "Two bands: one Small–Medium band, one Medium–Large band".

When I look at the UK store, the item is "38mm White Sport Band", with the description "Two straps: one Small–Medium strap, one Medium–Large strap".

I didn't notice the difference until just now.

Are we being divided by a common language again?

You might be able to convince my American ears that a "strap" is only part of a "band". But to me a watch "band" is what I need to hold a watch on my wrist. Two "bands" will hold two watches.

Maybe the words have a different connotation to UK ears.

A strap is English for what you foreigners refer to as a band. :p
 
Also, if you look at Apple's sizing chart (PDF), it clearly states that Sport Bands come with 2 bands, and shows a picture of the Apple Watch (Stainless).
 

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Aside from using the phrase (and setting off in italics just to be sure) "on good authority" the article isn't any less speculative than this thread. On good authority means nothing without saying who told you. Was it Tim Cook? An official media contact with Apple? Or a friend who "just knows"?

I asked an employee at an Apple Store and was told there will be four pieces. I could consider that "on good authority" as well. Unless you objectively state who's authority it's on and let people decide for themselves the validity, it doesn't hold 'official' weight to me.

No disrespect intended here and I'm not trying to fight. I just don't see much in the way of definitive information so far. I'm hoping to be able to swap bands but completely understand that it would make no sense for Apple to include that fourth piece in terms of need for functionality (unless it has to do with the closure being symmetrical on the bottom and the 'pin' side of the band needing to be longer to achieve this).
 

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Even this specialist thought it was confusing. Here is my conversation I just had:

Specialist: "Hello! Thank you for contacting the US Apple Online Store, my name is Jenne. Give me a minute while I read over your messages please."

Me: "Sure thing Jenne"

Specialist: "Thanks for your patience!"

Me: "Yes ma'am."

Specialist: "Okay, I’m going to answer, what I think is your question, and if I don’t please correct me! The Apple Watch Sport does come with two bands. They are the same color, whichever you select, the difference is they come in two sizes, so you can see which is most comfortable for you when you exercise as well as in your daily routine."

Me: "So, technically these two bands are made up of four different parts, correct?"

Specialist: "Correct, each band has two parts. One end that connects to the Watch and the other end connects to the band connection. That sounds way more confusing than it is. Hahah."

Me: "Understood. So in comparison, the Apple Watch (stainless steel) that comes with the sport band has just three parts? Because it only specifies as coming with "one" band"

Specialist: "That’s so confusing, I see what you’re talking about. No matter what Watch collection you buy, if it’s a Sports band, it’s going to come with two Sports bands for you!"


So, from her explanation, the video showing 1.5 parts is not valid, or maybe incomplete (even though I thought it to be true). She even admits the whole thing is confusing. No matter what, I'll let you know 24 APR

This was EXACTYLY the conversation I had. I tried three times, with different reps too.

Four pieces, two complete bands in different sizes was the consistent answer.

At least I can admit we will not know for sure until the 24th. The "three-strappers" are a bit belligerent in their certitude too. Which is odd considering they are basing their "knowledge" on pre-release leaks.

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Actually, I have talked with the Bandswapper folks. Just like the rest of us, they have no idea FOR SURE UNTIL THE 24th. Conversations with Apple folks seem to support the 4 straps, 2 complete bands theory. Bootleg Chinese "unboxing" videos seem to suggest something else. Hmm, wonder which is more trustworthy?

Holding off on my ordering my extra band until the 24th...
 
This was EXACTYLY the conversation I had. I tried three times, with different reps too.

Four pieces, two complete bands in different sizes was the consistent answer.

At least I can admit we will not know for sure until the 24th. The "three-strappers" are a bit belligerent in their certitude too. Which is odd considering they are basing their "knowledge" on pre-release leaks.

----------



Actually, I have talked with the Bandswapper folks. Just like the rest of us, they have no idea FOR SURE UNTIL THE 24th. Conversations with Apple folks seem to support the 4 straps, 2 complete bands theory. Bootleg Chinese "unboxing" videos seem to suggest something else. Hmm, wonder which is more trustworthy?

Holding off on my ordering my extra band until the 24th...

Right, and that Chinese video cited consistently as evidence is an accessory package as far as I can tell. I think the person in the video was given the freestanding extra band you can buy for $50 which is what he's opening. So it's possible that does have three pieces while the retail watch comes with four. The packaging also appears too long to fit inside of the watch box, further making me think it's the accessory SKU.
 
Right, and that Chinese video cited consistently as evidence is an accessory package as far as I can tell. I think the person in the video was given the freestanding extra band you can buy for $50 which is what he's opening. So it's possible that does have three pieces while the retail watch comes with four. The packaging also appears too long to fit inside of the watch box, further making me think it's the accessory SKU.

The Apple Store description for the accessory Sport Band also states it includes two bands.

What's in the Box?

Two bands: one Small–Medium band, one Medium–Large band
 
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